Skip-hoist system



May 10, 1927. w. E. HALE SKIP HOIST SYSTEM Filed Feb. 7, 1925 I INVENTORS:

WZlZmEJiale,

' BY ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 10, 1927. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFHCE.

wnmmx E. HALE, or son-r wasn meron, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To B; H. BEAUMONT 00., or PHILADELPHIA, IENNSYLVANIA, A oonrona'rron or PENN- sYLvanm.

SKIP-H0181 SYSTEM.

Application med February '2, 1925. Serial No. 7,509.

My invention relates to material handling apparatus, and especially systems employin a loader for a hoisting bucket, such'as skip-hoist systems now widely used for handling coal, sand, gravel, etc, etc. general, such a loader comprises a movable part or structure that delivers the material from a source .ofsupply into the bucket when the latter is in position ready toreceive it, and shutsotf or pre ents the discharge at other times. It is the object of my present invention to. provide for normalIy securing a'movable loader in inactive position, so as to obviate l'lSk of accldental discharge of material, or other such inconvenience.

In the drawings, Fig. I plication of my invention to a material handling system, which is here shown in side elevation.

Fig. II is a view similar to Fig. I, with some of the parts in diflerent positions.

Figs. III and IV are detailsectional views taken as indicated respectively by the lines III -JII and IVIV in Fig. I

In these-illustrations, the source of supply of material is shown as a hopper 1 with an inclined outlet 2 at. its bottom. The discharge controlling loader 3 shown is hung from the outlet 2. The loader 3 is swing-' able up and down about ahorizontal axis 4. but normall tion shown in ig. I, where it closes or prevents discharge from the outlet 2. Counterweights 5 substantially or approximately counterbalance the discharge chute portion (3 of the loader 3, while any material remaining therein from previous activity of said loadermay even help to swing the sameupward and keep itm its inactive elevated position, as shown in Fig. I. The'bucket 7 served by the loader 3 is shown as a wheeled skip bucket, and its track 8 is shown as inclined adjacent the loader. The loader 3 is swung down into active position when the bucket 7 reaches or approaches loading position, as shown in Fig. II, and is swung up into inactive position again when the bucket rises, being (preferably and as here shown) actuated or operated both ways by the bucket itself. .When the bucket7 descends. a lower corner or flange projection 9 ofthe bucket engages a swinging hook device lqpivotally suspended from the spout occupies the inactive posi- 6, in the path of the bucket, and thus pulls the loader down; when the bucket 7 rises, its upper edge engages the lower side of the chute 7 and thus swings the loader upward.

Beaumont, granted April 4, 1922. The general operation of a loader and bucket combination such as here illustrated is described in this patent and in U. S. Patent- No. 1,359.212, to )Vebster, granted Nov. 16, 1920.

The .means here shown for normally securing the loader 3 in inactive positionis" illustrates the ap-' in the nature of an automatic latch device, comprising one or more members 12 pivoted at 13 to suitable supporting means, such as lugs or cars 14 on the hopper 1. As shown in Figs. I, II, and III. there are latch members 12, 12 at both sides or. the loader chute 6,

in the form of angle bars arranged with flanges 15 upward and outward, and they are interconnected by a cross-bar 16 rigidly secured to said flanges 15. These members 12. 12 are shouldered at 17 (as by notchin of their lower flanges) to engage or hoo over projections or .lugs 18 on the chute 6 (in the form of angle-bar clips) when the chute 6 swings ilrpward to its inactive position shown in ig. I. In order that the latches 12, 12'mayremain in the position shown in Fig. II when said latches are disengaged and the chute 6 swung downward. ready to be lifted by the lugs 18, 18 as the chute returns and thus reengage the lugs automatically,these latches 12, 12 may be sustained by means of sto projections 20, 20 fast to their upper en s, and normally resting (or nearly so) against the hopper 1. As shown, the upper and lower ends of the latch members 12. 12 are bent apart somewhat, while their intermediate notched portions lie close to the sides of the chute 6.

v The latch device 12 may be automatically operated or'actuated to release the loader 3 tion 19 adapted to engage and trip the latch I 12, by lifting shoulder clear of lug 18.

Ill

This action is indicated in Fig. I, where the bucket corner 9 has struck the hook 10 and swung its upward extension 19 to the right, against the device 12, ready to lift the latter free as the bucket 7 continues its descent to engage and actuate the hook 10. Release of the loader securing means or lock 12 by a part of the loader operating device 10 affords the advantage of minimizing chances of derangement or accident: i. e., release will not occur unless .the bucket 7 is in train to operate the loader 3 and receive the material discharged therefrom in consequence of such actuation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: I

1. In a system of the character described, the combination with a skip bucket and a cooperating loader, of gravity-influenced in terconnected members serving to normally lock the loaderpositively against lateral displacement in inactive position but automatically actuable to release the same when the bucket approaches loading position.

2. In a system of the character described, the combination with a skip bucket, a loader, and operating means for the loader actuated by the descending bucket, of a gravity-influenced latch-device comprising spaced members interconnected by a cross-bar for normally locking the loader in inactive posi tion but releasable by said operating means when actuated by the bucket.

3. In a system of the character described,

. rename lugs on the loader for automatically locking the same in inactive position, and means for automatically tripping said locking means to release the loader for actuation by the descending bucket.

4. In a system of the character described, the combination with a skip bucket and a cooperating loader, of a gravity-influenced latch comprising opposed angle bars with their ends bent apart and their intermediate portions shouldered to engage lugs on the loader for normally locking the same in inactive position, and means actuated by the descending bucket for tripping the latch to release the loader.

5. In a system of the character described, the combination with a skip bucket and a loader, of a gravity-influenced latch comprising opposedly directed angle bars with their ends bent apart and their intermediate portions shouldered to engage lugs on the loader for locking the same in inactive position, and an actuating hook for the loader in the path of the descending bucket, swingable by the latter to trip the latch and release the loader.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this 3rd day of February, 1925.

- \VILLIAM E. -HALE. 

